
Saudi boxer Mo Alakel on training with Roberto Duran and world title dreams
Mo Alakel has fought three times in his native Saudi Arabia since turning professional last year; on each occasion his hand has been held aloft as the victor, with Alakel soaking up the acclaim of the partisan crowds in Riyadh.
The 20-year-old boxer's most recent outing in the Kingdom saw him beat Engel Gomez on points in a super-featherweight bout that appeared on the undercard of Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 on February 22.
Alakel had previously begun his pro career with a win against Jesus Gonzalez last October, following it up with a points victory over Joshua Ocampo on the Fury vs Usyk 2 undercard in December.
It means Alakel is now 3-0 and insists he is feeling more at home fighting alongside some of the biggest names in boxing.
'It was kind of surreal the first time, especially seeing the TV cameras and screens because I've been a very big boxing fan since I was a little kid,' Alakel recalled in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English.
'I just tried to soak it all in – it was a crazy experience. It was – and still is – amazing fighting in Saudi Arabia because all my family are there supporting me. It's just a dream come true for me.'
He went on to say the second fight felt a lot easier to him and 'played out perfectly.'
'The second fight felt a lot easier and just played out perfectly and then last time I was pretty upset on the night as I was hoping for a stoppage, but looking back at it, I actually performed pretty well,' he said.
'Honestly, I don't really feel the pressure of being a Saudi fighter because I just really trust the process. I train really hard and there are no shortcuts, so I always trust my ability to perform on the night and I enjoy being out there.'
Being on the same card as the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev so early in his career has provided Alakel a remarkable opportunity to pick the brains of fighters who many aspiring boxers wouldn't usually be able to get near.
The young Saudi has even had the chance to work with legendary Panamanian four-weight world champion Roberto Duran.
'I trained with Roberto for three weeks in my last camp and learned a lot from him – he's a legend,' Alakel said. 'He wants everything to be perfect so sometimes when he was teaching me something on the bag, he'd go crazy even if I made just a little mistake. But this is why he was a champion.'
He continued, 'People see these guys [Fury, Usyk, Bivol and Beterbiev] as celebrities or stars, but when you actually sit down and talk to them, they're very human. They're very dedicated to their craft, they are hard-working people.'
They've even given him some tips, according to Alakel.
'The normal stuff like keep working hard, focus on what you want to achieve and don't get distracted. It's great having guys like that around,' he added.
Alakel's career may have burst into life over the past 18 months, but he has spent the past decade honing his craft. At the age of 10, he moved to Scotland, where his father was studying for his PhD at Edinburgh University. It was here that Alakel first began boxing and 'fell in love with it straight away.'
'At first I just did it for the enjoyment,' Alakel reflected. 'I loved sparring every day, training every day; the vibe of the gym and the guys I trained with. Then one of the boxing coaches there saw potential in me and that's when I started thinking I could actually maybe do something with boxing.'
It wasn't only his coach who felt the Saudi teenager had something. Alakel's father posted some videos of him boxing online and they caught the attention of Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and now arguably the most influential figure in world boxing.
'I feel like he has transformed boxing for the better,' Alakel said of Alalshikh. 'More people are talking about the sport, more people are watching the fights.'
'His involvement has made boxing better and obviously that has also been great for Saudi Arabia with the country hosting the fights.'
Alalshikh may have brought the globe's biggest boxing stars to the Kingdom in recent years, but he is also determined to develop Saudi talent. Which is why, in 2023, he connected Alakel with Joe Gallagher, the Manchester-based trainer who helped build the careers of world champions including Callum Smith, Anthony Crolla, Natasha Jonas, Paul Butler and Scott Quigg.
'It's a very inspiring, motivating place to be,' Alakel said of Gallagher's Gym in Manchester. 'I've been training with Joe and the champions he's been coaching, like [two-time bantamweight world champion] Paul Butler. We push each other and I'm being shown every day what it means to be a champion.'
'Joe has obviously achieved a lot with all his years of experience. He's a great coach who is firstly very organized - which is great for me as this is how I like working,' added.
'Manchester is a real boxing city. I know that Amir Khan and Tyson Fury have had big fights here and I love that there are boxing gyms everywhere and a lot of small amateur shows. For where I am now at the start of my career, it is a great place to be.'
The boxing world was left stunned a couple of months ago when 56-year-old Gallagher, a hugely respected figure in the sport, announced that he had stage four bowel and liver cancer. Alakel admits it hit his fighters hard.
'It's really sad news and we were all surprised and shocked of course,' the young Saudi fighter said. 'We're all with Joe and he's just been carrying on and trying to get through it which is very inspiring.'
Alakel feels he owes it to Gallager to continue to forge ahead with his pro career. His ultimate aim is to give Gallagher's Gym another world champion.
'This year I want to stay as busy as possible and keep representing Saudi Arabia. I know I have just got to keep training hard, slowly building up my record and hopefully then I can reach the top,' he said.
'I wouldn't be boxing if I didn't want to be a champion.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain to stay in World Cup qualification hunt
Saudi Gazette report RIFFA — Saudi Arabia kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 on Thursday. The result lifted Herve Renard's side to 13 points, setting up a decisive showdown with group leaders Australia next Tuesday. The Saudis must win that match by at least four goals to overtake the Socceroos on goal difference and secure second place. The Green Falcons asserted themselves early at Bahrain National Stadium. A long-range pass from Hassan Al Tambakti found Ali Majrashi in space, but the fullback's second touch allowed Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to close down quickly. Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 16th minute. Captain Salem Al Dawsari delivered a pinpoint first-time cross to the far post, where Musab Al Juwayr — recently named Saudi Pro League Young Player of the Season — calmly sidefooted the ball home. Bahrain responded with long-range efforts from Komail Al Aswad and Mohamed Marhoon, but neither troubled Saudi keeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. Al Dawsari had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute after a clever through-ball from Aiman Yahya, but his chipped finish drifted just over the bar. After the break, Saudi Arabia pressed for a second. Feras Albrikan had the ball in the net just before the hour mark, but the goal was disallowed for offside in the buildup. Bahrain nearly equalized in the 68th minute, but Marhoon's strike off a low cross from Ebrahim Alkhatal struck the post. Five minutes later, Al Aqidi produced a double save to deny Vincent Emmanuel and Mahdi Abduljabbar in quick succession. With Bahrain pushing forward in search of a goal, Saudi Arabia capitalized. In the closing minutes, Majrashi played a through ball to substitute Abduralrahman Alobud, who finished clinically to seal the 2-0 win. Saudi Arabia now face a high-stakes final group match against Australia, where only a convincing +5 goals win will send them directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


Leaders
31-05-2025
- Leaders
Benzema's Brilliance Secures Al-Ittihad's Historic King's Cup Victory
Karim Benzema scored a remarkable brace, leading Al-Ittihad to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the King's Cup final on Friday. His goals came in the 34th and 90+4th minutes, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination on the field, while Houssem Aouar contributed significantly by adding another goal in the 43rd minute. Al-Qadsiah managed to score only once, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converting a penalty in the 45+6th minute. This defeat marked a disappointing moment for Aubameyang, who sought his first trophy since joining Saudi Arabia last July. The loss proved challenging for several Al-Qadsiah players, as the club has yet to win the King's Cup in its 58-year history. Their task became even more difficult when Ezequiel Fernandez received a red card late in the match, leaving the team short-handed. Celebrating a Historic Victory This victory marks Al-Ittihad's tenth King's Cup title, following their recent triumph in the Saudi Pro League. The team finished the season eight points clear of their nearest rivals, Al-Hilal, solidifying their dominance in Saudi football. Karim Benzema continues to impress in the Middle East after joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid in 2023. He now boasts an impressive tally of 38 goals in 62 appearances for the club, including 21 goals in the league this season. Benzema finished third in the scoring charts, trailing behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney. Ronaldo secured his second consecutive golden boot with 25 goals for Al Nassr, while Benzema claimed the league's Player of the Season award for the first time. Accolades for Al-Ittihad Benzema's outstanding performances earned him the best player award, while coach Laurent Blanc received the best manager accolade. This recognition highlights the successful season for Al-Ittihad and their impressive achievements. The victory in the King's Cup final serves as a fitting end to a remarkable campaign for Al-Ittihad. Benzema's goalscoring prowess played a crucial role in their triumph, and the team looks forward to building on this success in the future. Short link : Post Views: 7


Saudi Gazette
30-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad end six-year wait to reclaim King's Cup crown
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Ittihad brought the King's Cup back to their trophy cabinet for the first time since 2018 with a 3-1 win over Al Qadsiah on Friday night at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, in front of a packed stadium led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who presented the cup to team captain Karim Benzema. The victory secured Ittihad's 10th title in the competition's history, reaffirming their legacy in one of Saudi football's most prestigious tournaments. It marked a triumphant return to form for the Jeddah-based club, which had endured a six-year drought marked by managerial instability and fluctuating form. Founded in 1927, Ittihad has been intertwined with the history of the King's Cup, winning its first title in 1958. Through eras of dominance and reinvention, the club has consistently remained a powerhouse, from its golden run in the 1990s to this current resurgence under head coach Laurent year's campaign culminated in a powerful final performance, with the squad — featuring global stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Moussa Diaby — showing cohesion, composure, and who took over at the start of the season, crafted a balanced squad that blended veteran leadership with youthful atmosphere in Jeddah was electric as tens of thousands filled the stands, with Al Ittihad fans providing deafening support chants echoed as the team lifted the cup in a sea of black and yellow, marking a night to remember for the Tigers title follows Ittihad's Saudi Pro League triumph earlier in the season and sets the stage for another ambitious campaign — both domestically and on the continental stage — with the club eyeing further silverware and a return to its dominant best.